An utterly ordinary scene, yet Silence Suzuka couldn't tear her gaze away.
Like a thief, she waited until she was certain Haru Urara and Special Week wouldn't turn back before slowly inching toward the table.
Closer, closer...
Suzuka, what are you doing...
The voice in her head snapped her out of her trance.
"Suzuka, what are you doing over there?"
Special Week's voice came from behind. Silence Suzuka exhaled softly, suppressing the unnatural tension in her chest before turning around. "It's nothing. I... I'll go call the Trainer in."
...
Lucian had no way of knowing the turmoil in Silence Suzuka's heart.
After entering the training room, he had everyone sit down for a brief meeting.
"Alright, this weekend, there won't be any training scheduled, but there's a health check-up that everyone needs to attend. I'll come pick you up then."
"The second thing is that we'll start recruiting new team members this weekend. If you're free, come help out."
The three of them were clearly more interested in the latter.
Haru Urara spoke up, "Recruiting new members!? Trainer, how many are we taking in this time?"
"One."
Lucian had already thought it through—he simply couldn't spare the energy to coach too many other horse girls, especially if the team grew larger in the future.
Question Toujou Hana, understand Toujou Hana, become Toujou Hana.
"Does anyone have suggestions for the recruitment test?" Lucian asked.
Haru Urara raised her hand. "Let's play dodgeball! Whoever gets hit is out!"
"Great idea."
"Right, right? Trainer, you think my plan works too!"
"Mhm. Next." Lucian outright dismissed it, ignoring Haru Urara's petrified expression.
Special Week thought for a moment. "How about a race?"
"That could work, but just a speed test?"Lucian didn't have any better ideas either. In the end, a race might be the simplest approach—straightforward and effective, while other methods would be too cumbersome.
"Suzuka, what about you? Any thoughts?"
Lucian looked at Silence Suzuka.
He noticed she had been unusually quiet today.
Though she was usually reserved, she'd still chime in occasionally. But ever since he entered the training room, she hadn't said a word.
"I... don't have any."
She had no suggestions—just a jumble of chaotic thoughts.
All centered around a certain object still placed on the table.
"Alright." Lucian rubbed his forehead, his gaze inadvertently landing on the silver whistle. He casually tucked it into the cabinet.
Silence Suzuka's eyes unconsciously followed it, only snapping back to reality once the whistle disappeared from view.
Suzuka... Suzuka, have you lost your mind...
"Let's wrap it up here." Lucian suddenly remembered something. "On the evening after the check-up, if you're free, you can come to my place for dinner. My treat."
A promised perk had to be delivered.
"Yay, I'm definitely coming!"
Special Week had long heard of Lucian's cooking skills and wouldn't miss it. "I'm free. I'll be there too."
As for Silence Suzuka, she didn't even need to say anything.
"That's all for now. Everyone, head back early."
...
Lucian's training regimen was like a rollercoaster.
After reaching peak intensity, it gradually tapered off.
Sustained high-intensity training wasn't ideal either—it needed to be balanced with foundational drills.
Time flew by, and soon it was Saturday.
That afternoon, "Dream" held its first recruitment session for new members.
To his surprise, Seiun Sky actually showed up.
Aside from her, none of the other applicants were horse girls Lucian recognized.
Seemed his outreach still needed work—it hadn't attracted more well-known candidates.
Today's test held little suspense, but procedure had to be followed.
"Spe-chan, go stand at the starting line."
Applying for and transporting starting gates would've been too troublesome, so Lucian skipped them this time.
"Got it."
"Ah, wait—take this whistle. The sound will be the starting signal."
Lucian had checked the equipment room for a starter's pistol but couldn't find one.
Probably because it wasn't needed for practice races.
"Lucian-sensei." Silence Suzuka suddenly spoke up. "I'll go to the starting line."
Lucian gave her a puzzled look but nodded. "Sure."
Though he didn't know why Silence Suzuka was being so proactive, she was far more reliable than Special Week.
"Here's the whistle." He added, "Don't worry, it's new. Never been used."
"Oh."
Silence Suzuka's expression didn't change much, but Lucian still caught something odd in her tone.
And why did the air suddenly feel so much colder!?
A chill ran down his spine, leaving him unsettled.
...
The test began.
With so many participants, they were divided into groups, and the fastest time would secure the spot.
As Lucian predicted, there was hardly any suspense.
Every competing horse girl was outclassed by Seiun Sky.
"Seiun Sky-san, welcome to 'Dream.'"
"Just got lucky~" Seiun Sky clasped her hands behind her back, her expression relaxed. "But I still prefer it when the Trainer calls me 'Little Seiun.'"
Ahem... "Little Seiun." Lucian scratched his cheek—her sudden request caught him off guard. "There's no such thing as luck on the track."
"Trainer, do I get a welcome gift like Spe-chan and the others did?"
"Don't tell me you joined just for the gift... You're not planning to quit right after getting it, are you?"
Lucian eyed her suspiciously.
That'd be a real hit-and-run move.
"Ehehe, of course not~" Seiun Sky smiled sweetly. "So, Trainer, you haven't answered me yet."
"The gift is a given. It's part of the official welcome."
"Then I'll look forward to it~"
"Good. Oh, tomorrow's the health check-up, followed by a team dinner in the evening. You should come along."
Seiun Sky's eyes sparkled, her smile narrowing into a delighted line. "Seems I joined at just the right time."
"Yeah, you're in for all of it." Lucian chuckled. "Alright, put your clothes back on. You're free to go."
"Mhm, mhm."
The two parted ways.
Seiun Sky glanced back at Lucian one more time.
It wasn't any gift that had drawn her here.
"Though... it's a bit chilly today." Seiun Sky muttered as she hurriedly slipped her clothes back on.
...
In a corner unnoticed by Seiun Sky,
Silence Suzuka was quietly observing her.
Her innate gentleness kept her from disliking someone without reason.
So, her gaze held no hostility or resentment—
Just wariness, and a faint trace of uncertainty.